Implications of a strongly peaked polar magnetic field

Using the flux-transport equation in the absence of sources, we study the relation between a highly peaked polar magnetic field and the poleward meridional flow that concentrates it. If the maximum flow speed _m greatly exceeds the effective diffusion speed /R, then the field has a quasi-equilibrium configuration in which the poleward convection of flux via meridional flow approximately balances the equatorward spreading via supergranular diffusion. In this case, the flow speed () and the magnetic field B() are related by the steady-state approximation () (/R)B()/B() over a wide range of colatitudes from the poles to midlatitudes. In particular, a general flow profile of the form sin ^p cos ^q which peaks near the equator (q p) will correspond to a cos ⁿ magnetic field at high latitudes only if p = 1 and _m = n /R. Recent measurements of n 8 and 600 km² s^–1 would then give _m 7 m s^–1.     

A simplified model solar atmosphere

A simplified representation of the temperature distribution in the solar photosphere is proposed: ( ₀) = ₀ - ₁ log ₀. An expression is derived for the emergent continuous spectrum from the simple model. The limitations and applications of the simple model are discussed.     

Study of the nonradial directional property of the rays of the streamer belt and chains in the solar corona

Based on analyzing corona images taken by the LASCO C1, C2, and C3 instruments, a study is made of the behavior of the streamer belt spanning one half of the 1996–2001 cycle of solar activity, from minimum to maximum activity, in the absence of coronal mass ejections. It is shown that: (1) The position of the streamer belt relative to the solar equator is generally characterized by two angles: _o and _E, where _o is the latitudinal position (near the solar surface) of the middle of the base of the helmet, the top of which gradually transforms to a ray of the streamer belt with a further distance from the Sun, and _E is the latitude of this ray for R>5–6 R from the Sun's center where the ray becomes radial. (2) Only rays lying at some of the selected latitudes _o retain their radial orientation (_oE) throughout their extent. Namely: _o0° (equator), _o±90° (north and south poles), and the angle _o lying in the range ±(65°–75°) in the N- and S-hemispheres. (3) A deviation of rays from their radial orientation in the direction normal to the surface of the streamer belt occurs: for latitudes _o<|65°–75°| toward the equator (>0°) reaching a maximum in the N and S hemispheres, respectively, when _OM40°, and _OM–42° for latitudes _o>|65°–75°| toward the pole (<0°). The regularities obtained here are a numerical test which can be used to assess of the validity of the theory for describing the behavior of the Sun's quasi-stationary corona over a cycle of solar activity.     

The Energy Equation in the Lower Solar Convection Zone

As a consequence of the Taylor–Proudman balance, a balance between the pressure, Coriolis and buoyancy forces in the radial and latitudinal momentum equations (that is expected to be amply satisfied in the lower solar convection zone), the superadiabatic gradient is determined by the rotation law and by an unspecified function of r, say, S(r), where r is the radial coordinate. If the rotation law and S(r) are known, then the solution of the energy equation, performed in this paper in the framework of the ML formalism, leads to a knowledge of the Reynolds stresses, convective fluxes, and meridional motions. The ML-formalism is an extension of the mixing length theory to rotating convection zones, and the calculations also involve the azimuthal momentum equation, from which an expression for the meridional motions in terms of the Reynolds stresses can be derived. The meridional motions are expanded as U _r(r,)=P ₂(cos)₂(r)/r ²+P ₄(cos)₄(r)/r ² +..., and a corresponding equation for U (r,). Here is the polar angle, is the density, and P ₂(cos), P ₄(cos) are Legendre polynomials. A good approximation to the meridional motion is obtained by setting ₄(r)=–H₂(r) with H–1.6, a constant. The value of ₂(r) is negative, i.e., the P ₂ flow rises at the equator and sinks at the poles. For the value of H obtained in the numerical calculations, the meridional motions have a narrow countercell at the poles, and the convective flux has a relative maximum at the poles, a minimum at mid latitudes and a larger maximum at the equator. Both results are in agreement with the observations.     

On symmetrical planetary corotations

Exact corotations are equilibrium points in the phase space of the asteroidal elliptic restricted problem of three bodies averaged over the synodic period, at a mean-motions resonance. If the resonant critical angle is =(p+q) _jup –p–q, exact corotations are double resonant motions defined by the conditionsd/dt=0 andd(– _jup )/dt=0. The first condition is characteristic of the periods resonance(p + q) : p and the second one is a secular resonance equivalent to that usually known as thev ₅-resonance. This paper presents the symmetric solutions =0 (mod ), = _jup (mod ). Corotations have a coherence property which is unique in non-collisional Celestial Mechanics: An elementary calculation shows that, in the neighbourhood of these solutions, the motions cluster aroundp independent longitude values and are, in each cluster, as close together as and are close to the equilibrium values.     

On a Babcock-Leighton dynamo model with a deep-seated generating layer for the toroidal magnetic field, II

In a previous paper (Paper I), we studied a dynamo model of the Babcock-Leighton type (i.e., the surface eruptions of toroidal magnetic field are the source for the poloidal field) that included a thin, deep seated, generating layer (GL) for the toroidal field, B. Meridional motions (of the order of 12 m s^–1 at the surface), rising at the equator and sinking at the poles were essential for the dynamo action. The induction equation was solved by approximating the latitudinal dependence of the fields by Legendre polynomials. No solutions were found with _p = _f where _p and _f are the fluxes for the preceding and following spot, respectively. The solutions presented in Paper I, had _p = –0.5 _f , were oscillatory in time, and large radial fields, B, were present at the surface.Here, we resume the study of Paper I with a different numerical approach allowing for a much higher resolution in , the polar angle. The time dependent partial differential equations for the toroidal and poloidal field are solved with the help of a second order, time and space centered, finite difference scheme. Oscillatory solutions with _p = _f are found for various values of the meridional motions and diffusivity coefficients. The surface values of B, while considerably smaller than those of Paper I, are still unacceptably large, specially at the poles. The reason can be traced to the eruption of toroidal field at high latitudes. It appears that in order to obtain small values for the radial field in the polar regions, high latitude sources ( smaller than /4, say), must reach their maximum below the surface. Weaker meridional motions near the poles than in the equatorial region are also suggested.     

Time-dependent nucleation theory and the formation of interstellar grains

The theory of homogeneous nucleation is discussed and applied to the formation of interstellar grains. Special attention is given to the thermodynamics of very small clusters (N10); it is found that, at least for carbon and metals, the free energies ofN-mers may be conveniently expressed in terms of a parameter _N which is nearly independent ofN. Estimates of _N from the Lothe-Pound theory disagree with the experimental observations forN<10; it is preferable to simply approximate _N 1/2 ( is known from bulk properties). The kinetic process of nucleation and cluster growth is essentially just a function of two dimensionless parameters; /T and . The domain in which nucleation theory should be valid is delineated. Approximate formulae are given for the critical supercooling, the critical cluster size, and the mean final cluster size; more accurate numerical results are presented graphically. Nucleation of grains in planetary nebulae, novae, and red giant outflows is discussed. The origin of the Pt-rich nuggets found in the Allende meteorite is considered; it is shown that the nuggets could have been formed by homogeneous nucleation in the primordial solar nebula, whereas they couldnot have formed in a supernova explosion.Invited contribution to the Proceedings of a Workshop onThermodynamics and Kinetics of Dust Formation in the Space Medium, held at the Lunar and Planetary Institute, Houston, 6–8 September, 1978.     

Multiple expansion of the tidal potential

The Earth tidal deformation causes an additional gravitational potential. Its effect on the Moon orbital motion has been studied by several authors.In this contribution, we develop this additional potential without specifying the inertial frame chosen.For this purpose, we use the properties of the representation of rotation groups in 3 dimensions space. We finally obtain the interaction potential between the distorted Earth and the Moon which is a necessary preliminary to the study of the evolution of the Earth-Moon system.Nomenclature T.R.O Tide raising object - (, , ) Spherical coordinates of the T.R.O. - (J, _E ) Earth spin axis orientation. _E is the longitude of the ascending node of Earth's equator on thexy-plane - (a ,I ,e , , ,M ) Elliptics elements of the T.R.O     

A New Method for Resolving the 180° Ambiguity in Solar Vector Magnetograms

We present a new method to resolve the 180° ambiguity for solar vector magnetogram measurements. The basic assumption is that the magnetic shear angle (), which is defined as the difference between the azimuth components of observed and potential fields, approximately follows a normal distribution. The new method is composed of three steps. First, we apply the potential field method to determine the azimuthal components of the observed magnetic fields. Second, we resolve the ambiguity with a new criterion: –90°+_mp lele90°+_mp, where _mp is the most probable value of magnetic shear angle from its number distribution. Finally, to remove some localized field discontinuities, we use the criterion B _tB _mt ge0, where B _t and B _mt are an observed transverse field and its mean value for a small surrounding region, respectively. For an illustration, we have applied the new ambiguity removal method (Uniform Shear Method) to a vector magnetogram which covers a highly sheared region near the polarity inversion line of NOAA AR 0039. As a result, we have found that the new ambiguity solution was successful and removed spatial discontinuities in the transverse vector fields produced in the magnetogram by the potential field method. It is also found that our solution to the ambiguity gives nearly the same results, for highly sheared vector magnetograms and vertical current density distributions, of NOAA AR 5747 and AR 6233 as those of other methods. The validity of the basic assumption for an approximate normal distribution is demonstrated by the number distributions of magnetic shear angle for the three active regions under consideration.     

The spectrum of the Bp star HD 36916

The spectrum of the peculiar Bp star HD 36916 has been studied on plates with dispersion 9.7 A/mm and compared with those of Aur, B3V andi And, B8V. A comparison of the observed contours of H, H and of the Balmer discontinuity D with those computed by Mihalas gives the following results: HD 36916: _e=0.347, logg=3.8;i And: _e=0.383, logg=3.2; Aur: _e=0.302, logg=3.6. HD 36916 presents the characteristics of the Si-4200 stars: strong deficiency in helium and probably also in oxygen and nitrogen, strong excess of silicon and strontium; 3984 Hgii is present. Moreover this star also has characteristics which are not common to Si-4200 stars but rather to Mn stars: excess by a factor of ten of the elements of the iron group and an excess larger, probably of the order of 100, for manganese. The star is a member of the Sword subgroup of the Orion association.     

The investigation of the solar wind transsonic region at meter wavelengths

Radio astronomy experiments designed to probe the interplanetary plasma close to the Sun have been carried out at the wavelength = 2.92 m using the occultation method. The experiments are based on a modification of the occultation method by which the sources, in this case quasars, are used to measure the radial dependence of the apparent source size, the scattering angle (R). The radial dependence of this source size (R) reveals that an anomalous enhancement in the scattering appears at radial distances from about 16 to 30 R , which is associated with the solar wind transsonic region. It is shown by analysis of the theoretical equations that the radial profiles of both the source size (R) and the scintillation index m(R) are consistent in the near solar interplanetary medium (R 40 R ). Combining these two independent applications of the occultation method extends the range of the investigation and provides a powerful new diagnostic of the solar wind transsonic region.     

The determination of coronal potential magnetic fields using line-of-sight boundary conditions

Previous efforts to construct solar coronal fields using surface magnetograph data have generally employed a least squares minimization technique in order to determine the spherical harmonic expansion coefficients of the magnetic scalar potential. Provided there is no source surface high up in the corona, we show that knowledge of the line-of-sight component of the surface magnetic field, B _i = B _r sin + B cos , is sufficient to uniquely determine the potential coronal magnetic field by an explicit construction of the magnetic scalar potential for an arbitrary B _l (, ).The National Center for Atmospheric Research is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.     

On mass flow in a complex sunspot

The velocity field in a large complex sunspot is investigated in Fe i 6302.5 Å and in H with a spatial resolution of about 2.5. The Evershed flow is almost parallel to the solar surface. For the inclination angle between the velocity and the horizontal = 4.4°±1.3° is estimated; = 11° is the definite upper limit.     

Linear analysis of the light curves of eclipsing variables

In this paper, general model analysis of the form c _{i i} () for the fractional loss of lightf() exhibited by a close binary system will be considered in the sense of the least-squares criterion. A general recursive method will be established for constructing the normal equations for the most useful functions _i (), and an economical storage of the method on a digital computer, with its computational steps, will also be given. Moreover, a full recursive computational algorithm for the least-squares approximation will also be established. By means of this algorithm, all the solution vectors, the variance for different orders of fit and the corresponding variance-covariance matrix could be computed once and for all and, moreover, recursively. The economical storage of the algorithm and its computational steps will be given. Finally, some of the practical difficulties encountered in the application of the least-squares criterion will be analysed, and some techniques for detecting and controlling these difficulties are also given. Numerical examples on the Algol system using a Fourier cosine series of the form c _i cos [(j - 1) /] will be given for illustration.     

Pulsar radio emission from expanding charge sheets

We semi-quantitatively calculate the distribution of energy in frequency and angle emitted from a sheet of charges that are moving out relativistically along dipolar magnetic field lines originating near the magnetic polar caps of a rotating neutron star. The angular distribution is conical with the angle of maximum intensity varying with frequency as ^–1/4 for _c 2 _c /(R _M ²), whereR_M is the initial angular radius of the charge sheet at the surface of the star of radiusR. At higher frequencies the width of the angular cone remains constant. The radiation is linearly polarized with the polarization vector in the plane of the line of sight and the magnetic axis. A sheet of uniform charge density and finite thickness has a frequency spectrum that varies from ^–3/2 to ^–4 for _c and _c , respectively. These features are in good general agreement with the observed characteristics of the intensity, pulse shape, and frequency spectrum of the radio pulses from pulsars.Operated by Associated Universities, Inc., under contract with the National Science Foundation.     

Practical considerations for the generation of large-order spherical harmonics

Techniques for generating large-order Y _l ^m (, ) are discussed.     

The motion of a satellite in an axi-symmetric gravitational field

The equations for the variation of the osculating elements of a satellite moving in an axi-symmetric gravitational field are integrated to yield the complete first-order perturbations for the elements of the orbit. The expressions obtained include the effects produced by the second to eighth spherical harmonics. The orbital elements are presented in the most general form of summations by means of Hansen coefficients. Due to their general forms it is a simple matter to estimate the perturbations of any higher harmonic by simply increasing the index of summation. Finally, this paper gives the respective general expressions for the secular perturbations of the orbital elements. The formulae presented should be useful for the reductions of Earth-satellite observations and geopotential studies based on them.List of Symbols semi-major axis - C _jk ⁿ (, ) cosine functions of and - e eccentricity of the orbit - f acceleration vector of perturbing force - f sin²t - i inclination of the orbit - J _n coefficients in the potential expansion - M mean anomaly - n mean motion - p semi-latus rectum of the orbit - R, S, andW components of the perturbing acceleration - r radius-vector of satellite - r magnitude ofr - S _jk ⁿ (, ) sine functions of and - T time of perigee passage - u argument of latitude - U gravitational potential - true anomaly - V perturbing potential - G(M₊+m) (gravitational constant times the sum of the masses of Earth and satellite) - _n,k coefficients ofR component of disturbing acceleration (funtions off) - _n,k coefficients ofS andW components of disturbing acceleration (functions off) - mean anomaly at timet=0 - X ₀ ^n,m zero-order Hansen coefficients - argument of perigee - right ascension of the ascending node     

The effect of luminosity-redshift correlation on the analysis of the angular size-redshift relation for radio galaxies

The variation of radio luminosity with redshift and its effect on the analysis of the angular size-redshift ( –z) relation for a bright radio source sample (s ₁₇₈ 10Jy) has been investigated. By assuming a power law dependence of luminosity on redshift of the formP (1 +z), it was found that 4.4 (with correlation coefficientr 0.99) for at leastz 0.3. Correction for such a strongP – (1 +z) correlation when considering the –z data for the sample led to a steeper –z slope. This could be explained by assuming linear size evolution of the formD (1 +z)^–n withn = 2.8 – 3.3 consistent with both theoretical results and those obtained for more homogeneous source samples.     

The effect of metallicity on the empirical relations for RR Lyrae stars

It has empirically been shown that, for a given value of the effective temperature, the correction in (B-V) due to line blanketing varies linearly with the metallicity parameter S. Next, on the basis of considerations different from those used to obtain a similar result by Sturch (1966), a relation between reciprocal effective temperature _e (=5040/T _e ) and intrinsic line-free colour index(B-V) _o,c has been obtained based on the _e and (B-V) values for five RR Lyr variables. Relations between _e and intrinsic colour(B-V) _o for different groups of stars having a S parameter in the range 0S11 have also been obtained.